Silver Bullet

Silver bullet - any straight forward solution perceived to have extreme effectiveness. The expectation of the phrase appears with an expectation that a particular practice will cure a major prevailing problem.

What is the "silver bullet" for fulfilling Christ's command to go and make disciples? Here it is: the most effective evangelism, by far, occurs through meaningful relationships between Christians and non-Christians.

Did you know that over twice as many non-Christians come to Christ through relationships with Christian friends or relatives than all other reasons combined?

Jesus modeled this disciple-making silver bullet (cf. Mark 5:19, Luke 19:9, Mark 2:14-15). The word for "household" in the New Testament refers to a person's close friends as well as their work associates. It referred to servant's families who lived there (cf. Acts 16:31). The early Christians knew that when the message of faith was heard and demonstrated by friends and family who were known and trusted...receptivity to the Gospel increased tremendously.

There is one essential requirement for reaching our friends and neighbors: we must be close enough to unbelievers for Christ to be observed and experienced through us. And there's the rub. The longer we are in the church, the fewer friends we have outside the church. Most of us have very few close friends who are non-Christians.

One reason that 85% of today's churches are not growing is that the social networks of people in the church are almost entirely within the church. Some churches even encourage relational isolation.

Here's the solution to this problem: we have to enter the non-Christian's world and be like Jesus to them. You cannot be Christ-like to them if you don't know any nonbelievers. You must have contact to have impact.

We need friends who are tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19) like Jesus had. We need to be friends with non-Christians. We need to hang out with the riff-raff of the world. Jesus did. So must we.

This week we all (especially me) must be friends, make friends, and invest in the non-Christian. How can Christ's missional task "make disciples" be accomplished if we aren't investing our lives with the people in the world? Who will you be friends with this week?

God Bless,

P.S. This Sunday, our Pastor of Young Adults and Families, Brian Abbott, will be preaching! You'll want to be there! Invite a friend and we'll see you at 9:00 or 10:30am.

Engage!

Most of us as Christ followers know that it's important to engage those in the culture around us with the message of the cross, but we don't know how to start. Let's be honest with each other, it seems a bit intimidating to hang out with those who aren't followers of Jesus. It's so much more comfortable to do things together with our Christian friends.

But it's time that we begin to overcome our fears, complacency and discomfort. I have shared the following "engage the culture" steps before in a Freshly Bru'd and since two people asked me this week how to be more engaging I thought I would remind us all of what we need to make this happen.

-Start conversations: talk to people living next to you, the person pumping gas next to you, the person ordering coffee in front of you, etc. Just talk to people; it all starts with conversation.

-Hang out with people who enjoy the same things you do: local sport leagues, PTA, book clubs, service organizations, music clubs, etc. You get the idea! We have a lot in common with the unchurched and we can connect with them in these kinds of things.

-Tell stories: about your life, your faith, other faith stories you've heard of from the world of sports, politics, education, etc.

-Volunteer somewhere: coach a youth sports team, serve meals at the mission, tutor kids at school, etc. Be consistent in serving.

-Invite other Christians to join you as you engage the culture so you don't have to go it alone.

-Pray with others: ask a non-Christian in your life what challenges they are facing and offer to pray for and with them. Be sure to follow-up by asking how it is going with the challenge you prayed for.

-Address the physical and spiritual needs around you; just meet needs.

Remember as you begin to engage the culture you live in that greater is He who is in you (God's spirit) than he who is in the world (Satan).

Engage!

God Bless,

P.S. If you feel stuck where you are spiritually, you will not want to miss Sunday's message "Moving to the Next Level". Several on-ramps, suggestions and helps will be shared. See you at either 9:00 or 10:30am!

Is Busyness the Same as Effectiveness?

Freshly Bru'd is designed to let you know what I am thinking, reading or questioning during the week. This week is one of those questioning times.

I really have two questions. First of all: when it comes to discipleship, does busyness equal effectiveness? I think not. If that is the case, why is church so busy? We love to boast about what we are doing. We are proud of "all we offer". I heard of one church who has 152 ministries for you and your family. I'm exhausted just thinking about that.

But do these offerings lead to where the people need to be spiritually? Do they move or advance us or just maintain where we already are?

Before you know it, if a church is not careful, to meet the needs of people, it will have its calendar stuffed with dozens of programs offered every day of the week. If we're honest, many of us would believe if this program or that program was making a big difference in the world. Instead of programs, maybe we should think in terms of steps. Maybe we should ask, "How do I move to where I need to be spiritually?"

My second question is: could church busyness actually be hindering the movement of God in our world? Is not the essence of following Jesus leaving the church and going out into the world and being a 'friend of sinners'?

When Jesus said "Go" he added "into the world". He didn't say "Go to the church". How can we make disciples of all peoples if we're down at the church building every day surrounded by other Christians?

Maybe we need to rethink what we think discipleship means. It's not church busyness rather "going" into our sphere of influence and proclaiming, living, and challenging people to follow Jesus.

God Bless,

P.S. We continue on with our new series "Getting from Here to There" this Sunday and will learn "When Walls Need to Fall." Our focus will primarily be in Joshua 6; see you at either our 9am or 10:30am service!

Ch-Ch-Changes

Change. We resist it. It scares us. Change feels like things we cherish are being taken away from us. Change happens too fast. It causes pain. It is emotional.
In the local church - environments change, roles change, strategies/approaches change, systems change, and styles change. But among the constant change of these types of things there are some constants. These constants are good reminders of what really matters in the church.

(1) The Bible is still the word of God; it always has been, always will be.

(2) The Gospel still changes lives - it is the power of God unto salvation - it transforms people from the inside out.

(3) Prayer is still powerful. God still uses praying churches.

(4) God is still in control. Change may confuse us and disorient us while suffering may make us wonder if there is any hope. Remember God is sovereign; always has been, always will be. He is there for you.

(5) Community groups are still vital. In the early church they met in homes. It is the place where relationships are established and deep truths of Scripture are taught. Small groups, life groups, cell groups, shepherd groups, and S.S. groups are just a few of the names we have given them. Whatever the name - community, fellowship, learning, and prayer are all vital to the church.

(6) The mission field still needs workers. Whether it's your backyard or the furthest ends of the earth, God uses us to be his missionaries in our sphere of influence.

(7) Hurting people still need ministry. A church that sees people through the eyes of Jesus will always be effective.

God Bless,

 P.S. Related to the people of Colorado who have been faced with a raging flood in life, this Sunday's theme is responding to the question, "How do you face life's floods?" Don't miss Sunday worship at 9:00am and 10:30am!

The need for encouragement

This last week I found myself in need of some encouragement. As I thought of my need I came to realize there are so many others with the very same need - to be encouraged. God knew that his children would be discouraged at times and feel defeated. That's why he gave a command to his church - to encourage each other and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) I need to become a better encourager.

Most people get far more jeers than cheers, far more pokes than strokes. So many people are put down, criticized and maligned. Jesus wants his church to do the exact opposite. He wants us to become and be encouragers.

What steps can you take to become and be an encourager? First, we need to value people. He wants us to value everyone. He wants us to remember that everyone matters to him - that is why he sent his Son to die for them. Second, we need to affirm people. When you appreciate people you raise their value. A few suggestions to affirm people are: notice them, listen to them, applaud their contributions, be interested in their life, include them in your life, pray for them, use positive words and compliment them.

Here are some scriptures that I hope to put into practice that I may be an encourager.

Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) Genuinely listening to people shows that you care.

Speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29) Our words are to be people builders not people users.

You are helping us by praying for us. (2 Corinthians 1:11) Make a prayer list of the people in your life. Pray for them and see what God does.

Lord, who can I encourage this week?

God Bless,

P.S. A new series begins this Sunday entitled, "Getting from Here to There: How to get unstuck when facing life's harsh realities." You won't want to miss it!

Some Interesting (Yes, Interesting) Statistics

For the next two weeks, I'd like to share with you some interesting statistics (yes - statistics can be interesting) related to cultural and religious research. As I looked at the different stats, several questions went through my mind. I want to share some of the research with you as well as the questions that went through my mind as I was reading. My questions will be bold.

WORLD STATISTICS

World population is over 7 billion people and growing at over 80 million per year (Population Media Center)

Will all of those people be reached or have a chance to hear the Gospel before Christ's return?

Facebook has 1 billion monthly active users (Facebook)

Don't these users see this creates loneliness and isolation?

If the world were 100 people... (100people.org)

33 Christians, 22 Muslims, 14 Hindus, 7 Buddists

77 people would have a place to shelter them from the wind & rain, but 23 would not

1 would be dying of starvation, 15 would be undernourished, 21 would be overweight

48 would live on less than $2 USD per day

Should I not thank God for my job?

87 would have access to safe drinking water, 13 would use improved water

UNITED STATES STATISTICS

Over 1 million abortions each year (abort73.org)

What does this sanctity of life mean to most Americans today?

Finance (endoftheamericandream.com)

Average household debt in the US has now reached a level of 136% of average household income

Over the last decade, the number of Americans without health insurance has risen from about 38 million to about 52 million

Total US credit card debt is more than 8 times larger than it was 30 years ago

Americans now owe more than $904 billion on student loans, which is a new all-time record high

1.5 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2010

Am I stiving to be a trustworthy steward?

WE'RE NUMBER 1! USA! (endoftheamericandream.com)

Highest incarceration rate and the largest total prison population

Highest divorce rate in the world

Highest teen pregnancy rate

Most obese

More school shootings

Highest child abuse death rate

Produces more pornography

Gets more plastic surgery

What has happened to the values we once were willing to die for?

How do these statistics make you feel? What part do you think the church plays in these things?

God bless you,

P.S. Last week I wrote about the things no visitor wants to hear from a church. I asked you to send me your ideas to share with others and here they are:

Why are you in church if you don't believe in God?

How could you not believe in God?

I'm so sorry, but you're going to hell!

The Old Adage is True: Think Before You Speak

At some point in our lives we have been a church visitor. Remember the experience? For some of you it was a positive one. You were greeted by friendly people, knew where to park, there were signs directed you to classrooms, restrooms and the worship center.

 

Yet, for others, you felt lost. You weren't greeted, didn't feel welcomed, didn't know where the restrooms were, etc. Whatever your experience was, good or bad, there are certain statements a church visitor (we call them guests at First Free) never want to hear right off the bat. Some I have heard personally, others I read from an article by Ben Reed, a small groups pastor from Clarksville, TN.

1. Our Pastor isn't normally this ____ (loud, obnoxious, long winded, etc.).
2. We're full, sorry. (We need to be willing to find a group for them and have a backup plan if classes or the worship service is full.)
3. What are you doing here? (It implies that God couldn't really love someone like them)
4. You can't serve now...you've got to be a member first. (Why would someone want to be a member if they've never had a chance to serve?)
5. We don't believe in serving coffee on Sunday mornings.
6. What's your address? I didn't catch it on the first 6 forms I had you fill out.
7. You want to join a small group? You'll have to wait until next Fall. (If a person has to wait more than a month they will go to another church.)
8. Here we just care about the Truth. If you don't like it, you can leave. (Love people and love Truth, but not one or the other.)
9. Here are the 38 things we do each week as a church. (Simplifying is the key, otherwise we give people decision paralysis.)
10. Next time, could you make sure to wear _____ (Fill that in with "something nicer, something that's clean". Creating a "come as you are" culture should be First Free's aim, not a "come as I am" culture.)

Got any to add? Send me them this week and I will share them with other Freshly Bru'd readers.

Blessings,

P.S. Don't miss communion this Sunday. This celebration of Jesus' death, resurrection, and return is one of the most meaningful memorials that deserves our presence.